Chain-gear casing.



J. P. PILLINGHAM.

l GRAIN GEAR GASING. AYPLIOATION FILED JAN. 22, 1910.

966,391 Patented Aug.2,1910.

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J. P. PILLINGHAM.

CHAIN GEAR CASING. APPLIGATION FILED n.122', 1910.

966,391 Patented Aug. 2,-1910.

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JOSEPH P. FILLINGI-IAM, OF LANSING, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO REO MOTOR CARCOMPANY, OF LANSING, MICHIGAN.

CHAIN-GEAR CASING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 2, 1910.

Application filed January 22, 1910. Serial No. 539,493.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH P. FILLING- HAM, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Lansing, county of Ingham, State of Michigan, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Chain-Gear Casings, anddeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of thesame, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertainsto make and use the saine, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to a casing for the exposed parts of the drivinggear of chain driven motor vehicles where the chain extends from themotor to a rear sprocket wheel; its object is to provide an efficientcasing which may be practically applied to such forms of transmissionmechanism knownas chain drives, and it is set forth in the followingdescription and specified in the claims thereto.

In the drawings: Figure l, represents a side elevation of said casingand such parts of a motor vehicle as is necessary to illustrate itsapplication thereto. Fig. 2, is a rear view showing the rear axle cutaway, with spider and inclosing shield foi' protecting the rear of thesprocket in conjunction with said casing. Fig. 3, is a cross section onthe line 3*3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4L, is a substantially horizontal crosssection of the metal frame on the line i--fl Fig. l. Fig. 5, is a crosssection on the line 5 5, Fig. l. Fig. 6, shows the metallic parts of theframing for supporting the, preferably leather, side walls of said gearcasing. Fig. 7, is a top view of Fig. 6. Fig. 8, is a detail of ametallic stiffening curved elastic rod inserted in the side walls ofsaid casing. Fig. 9, is a perspective view of the concave shield showingits form.

Similar letters refer to similar parts.

In the drawings A A represents the spider usual in such constructions,partially shown in Fig. l in dotted lines.

B B are the bolts and struts uniting the extremities of the spiders,each of which preferably consists of three arms and as these spiders arerigidly connected to the dead axles, are common in the art and as thereis nothing distinctive about them it is unnecessary to describe them indet-ail.

C is a cross section of the live axle, Fig. l.

This live axle is usually and preferably entirely inclosed in the deadaxle, which consists of hollow tubes connected to the spider, but whichin the drawing, Fig. 2, has been shown broken away therefrom.

D is a curved concave shield having flanges (Z, (Z1, on its forwardedge, which flanges are at a corresponding angle to each other, adaptingthe shield to fit the angle of the arms of the spider and also to litthe spider so that when the shield is bolted thereto by bolts (Z2, (Z3,it is held in so close proximity thereto as to be substantiallydusttight. The sides of the shield D are similarly flanged, this featurebeing clearly illustrated in the perspective view, Fig. 9, as to oneside, and the other side corresponds therewith. The bolts (Z2, (Z3 alsocarry brackets E E, the outer ends of which are adapted to receivespiral springs S S1, as shown in Fig. l. These springs serve to hold thechain case closely up against its rear supports and the shield so as tomake substantially dust-tight connection between the two and yet preventsuch connection being rigid.

The shield proper consists of a curved trough F, Fig. 6, whichconstitutes its bottom; upon each flanged side of this trough F isrigidly fastened two metal bars G, G, which are peculiarly shaped asshown in Fig. 6. The point of attachment of one end of these bars at fis substantially near the longitudinal center of the trough, while theother end is attached at the forward portion thereof. To each of thesebars and trough is attached side walls I-I; these side walls are notshown in Fig. 6, but are shown in Fig. l, and in cross section in Fig.3. The lower edges of the walls H, which may be of leather or of anyequivalent material, are riveted by the rivets shown in Fig. l, at Zt,Zi, to the trough F, and are also attached in any convenient manner toeach of the angular bars Gr. The bar may be embedded in a doublethickness of the leather or it may be riveted thereto; the manner ofattachment being immaterial so long as the bars support vertically theside walls H, and stiffen them thereby preventing their collapsing downon the chain. In the rear portion behind the bars Gr are two peculiarlycurved metal rods J, shown in dotted lines in Fig. l and separately inFig. 8. These are also embedded in the side walls link K, Fig. l),relatively to the axle i,

due to the action of the springs in the ordinary service of the car towhichv the chain y boot is attached. Each of the side walls is cut awaylongitudinally in the rear center as shown in Fig. l, at L, so as topermit their being drawn over the axle C, rearwardly; thus they inclosethe forward arm of the spider and in order to permit, if necessary, astrut rod to pass through said forward arm and angularly back to eachend of the axle, a longitudinal cut is made in the side walls H, on thedotted line M, Fig. l'1 which cut extends forward to the strut rod N,and to a vertical opening P made in Ithe side wall whereby the wall I-Ican be allowed to play upward and downward on the strut rod withoutcramping the side wall. Over the cut M is a depending flap Q, whichbeing attached to the upper part of the side wall above the opening M,closes off this opening when in use and Vrenders it substantiallydust-proof.

The operation of this device is suciently obvious from the descriptionthereof.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I desire to claim as new is:

l. In a gear casing, the combination of a curved trough, flexible sidewalls attached thereto, appropriately shaped supporting side bars, therear portion of said flexible side walls each being dividedlongitudinally into an upper and lower part adapted to inclose the reargearing and embracing Y the axle and strut rods of the vehicle, anelastic metal stiener for said upper and lower parts, substantially asdescribed.

2. The combination, with a supporting axle, of a spider, a curvedinclosing case, al

flexibly supported curved trough, stiifening side bars attached to saidtrough, side wall pieces attached to said trough and to said side bars,the rear portion of said wall pieces being divided to engage about saidY axle, and resilient stilfemng rods for those portions of the side wallpieces adjacent said axle, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specilication in the presence of twowitnesses.

JOSEPH F ILLINGHAM.

Vitnesses DEAN M. PARSONS,

